From Cameron Diaz and Snoop Dogg to Adam Levine and Jonah Hill, some of our favorite celebrities actually go way back. Here's a closer look at which stars once roamed the halls together, long before making it to Hollywood.
Britney Spears & Alicia Keys
The queen of R&B, Alicia Keys, and the queen of pop, Britney Spears, hailed from the same alma mater back in the day. Little did they know, they would both go on to dominate the world of Hollywood!
The singers went to the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City. Spears just moved to NYC with her mother and joined the school when she was eight years old, while Keys basically ran the place, graduating as valedictorian at age 16. Fast forward to 2011, and Keys even donated musical instruments to her old high school.
Cameron Diaz & Snoop Dogg
Something about this duo feels right. Although the two might not have entered the same career path, they both ended up making iconic names for themselves. That's right. Snoop Dogg and Cameron Diaz both attended Long Beach Polytechnic School in California.
Although Snoop was a year older than Diaz, according to the rapper, "She [Diaz] ran with my homegirls, all my little cheerleading homegirls," and "I never got at her like that because she was younger than me." Ah, we would have loved to see that relationship blossom. The actress also recalls Snoops, "ponytails on his head." Lol.
Matthew Perry & Justin Trudeau
So this is an unexpected one! How did current Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and American actor Matthew Perry go to school together? As it turns out, even though Perry was born in the U.S., he was raised in Ottawa! Voila! So, what’s the connection….
Matthew Perry’s mother actually worked as the secretary for Pierre Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, from 1980 to 1984 for 15 years! Put two and two together; it makes sense how this duo went to school together. So, do we think this unexpected duo is Friends?
Rami Malek & Rachel Bilson
Rami Malek and Rachel Bilson both attended a star-studded high school within just a few years of each other. Bilson and Malek went to Notre Dame High School and even performed on stage in The Crucible together - that definitely was not a boring high school play!
“Rami was a good friend of mine,” Bilson recalled in an interview with Dax Shepard. The O.C. star even uploaded a throwback picture of her and the Mr. Robot star to her Instagram but deleted it after Malek slid into Bilson’s DM’s, asking her to take it down. But don’t fret, “Everything is great” now between them after talking it out.
Rami Malek & Kirsten Dunst
There’s more! In addition to Rami Malek and Rachel Bilson, Kirsten Dunst also went to Notre Dame High School. What’s in the water over there? The pair are still friends today, and Dunst is currently engaged to one of Malek’s pals, Jesse Plemons.
But the plot thickened when Rami Malek revealed in an interview with E! News about his friendship with Dunst that he “used to have a little crush on her.” Imagine if that would have worked out! However, there is no word on if Dunst had the same feelings for her old classmate...
Adam Levine & Jonah Hill
This is a fun one. Maroon 5’s lead singer, Adam Levine, and comedy genius Jonah Hill not only went to school together in L.A. but still have a tight bromance. Despite their age gap, the Hollywood stars were apparently BFFs when they went to Brentwood.
“Our dads met in the principal’s office in junior high,” Jonah Hill laughed. “We were in [a] carpool, we lived at each other’s houses.” Today, the celebs remain close friends, as Hill even officiated Levine’s wedding ceremony back in 2014. Now that’s a way to honor school spirit!
Kerry Washington & Gwyneth Paltrow
Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow and actress/producer/ director wrapped into one, Kerry Washington, attended The Spence School in New York. Two of the most influential names in Hollywood once were awkward teens, just like most of us. (Or totally not.)
So what do these two actresses have in common from their teenage years? They both were in the acapella group! Although a few years apart, Washington told Jimmy Kimmel in an interview, Paltrow inspired her decision to join the “Triple Trio” - where she later became the co-president. Thanks, Gwyneth!
Jay-Z & Busta Rhymes
Two of the most successful rappers in the game, Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z, once ran the halls of George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High school in Brooklyn, New York. These NYC natives are known for their quick rhymes and slick beats, so we wish we could have been there when it came down to this day in high school...
One day, Jay and Busta went head to head in a “speed rapping” contest in their school cafeteria, with Young Hov dominating the competition. Busta later recalled that his defeat only motivated him to improve his rap game - which clearly it did! But our next duo may make just as much sense as Busta and Jay.
Matt Damon & Ben Affleck
A-list actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon made it to Hollywood around the same time as the kings of rap, and these two are still BFFs. Affleck and Damon’s friendship blossomed in the 80s when the two attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Massachusetts.
These two have accomplished everything from their on-screen chemistry to behind-the-scenes friendship. The pals have acted side by side in feature films such as Dogma and Chasing Amy, but really stole the show with the modern class film Good Will Hunting, which they both wrote and acted in. Anyways, do we think Damon has met J. Lo?
Jessie J & Adele
Speaking of meeting Jennifer Lopez, let’s talk about two more women who have spectacular voices - and likely spent lunchtime together during their school days. British music superstars Jessie J and Adele went to The BRIT School in England at the same time.
The Price Tag singer revealed the two “Used to sing at lunchtime together” in an interview with People in 2020. “We didn’t realize that we’d both [eventually] have music out, but she’s amazing. She was always that really bright energy at school,” Jessie J gushed. “Hello” to the BRIT school’s cafeteria!
Naomi Watts & Nicole Kidman
Two of the most successful celebrities in Hollywood go way back to the land down under. Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts studied at the North Sydney Girls High School in Australia at the same time. Although the two eventually worked together well after their high school days, as Watts admits, they were not friends in school.
The two were first seen on screen together in 1991's Flirting when Kidman helped Watts reach her dreams towards making it in Hollywood. “That’s when our friendship forged,” Watts told People. “We’ve gone through a lot together over a significant amount of time,” Watts said about their friendship. The two are unstoppable today.
Sian Clifford & Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Another unstoppable friendship, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and fellow actress Sian Clifford actually go way back. The British actresses studied at England’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduated in 2006, and welcomed strong acting careers moving forward.
Long after attending RADA, the two acted together in the hit television series, Fleabag. The 2016 British comedy-drama series was created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Clifford portrayed Waller-Bridges sister in the hit series. No surprise, the on-screen sisters worked so perfectly together!
Prince William & Eddie Redmayne
Another pair of British classmates who turned out to be more than just our average students. Actor Eddie Redmayne and Prince William attended Eton College in Windsor at the same time. Well, Prince William knew he would be a prince one day - but as for Redmayne, he can say he went to school with a royal!
The two were friendly when they attended the well-renowned Eton boarding school and played rugby together. “I always felt a bit sorry for him,” Redmayne said. Redmayne continued, “Basically any school you played, all they wanted to do was tackle Prince William, and they could say, ‘I tackled Prince William.’”
Scarlett Johansson & Jack Antonoff
Before their successful careers, this pair actually dated! Actress Scarlett Johansson and singer-songwriter Jack Antonoff went to the Professional Children’s School in New York together, and instead of following separate paths after school, they dated!
The couple dated for a year and even went to prom together! We hope they won prom king and queen that year. However, things took a sharp turn when the couple brokeup, and Antonoff wrote a break-up song about her. The song went a little something like this, “Hey Scarlett, you’re not the same.” Let’s call it a bad breakup.
Matthew Morrison & Kristen Bell
This adorable couple met at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and had a little fling before making it in Hollywood. The voice behind Anna from Frozen, Kristen Bell, and Broadway star Mathew Morrison “dated very briefly” according to Bell in an interview with Us Weekly in 2010.
Bell continued to add, “We actually dated very briefly, so I’ll have to say maybe Matt Morrison is my favorite part of Glee for various reasons.” Aw, how so very cute! Morrison left NYU without graduating, and Bell continued studying musical theater.
Tupac Shakur & Jada Pinkett Smith
Speaking of close relationships, this duo had a bond unmatched - and it all started at the Baltimore School for Arts. Actress and talk show host Jada Pinkett Smith and one of the greatest rappers of all times, Tupac Shakur, shared an indescribable relationship.
After he died in 1996, Pinkett Smith often discussed her affection for Tupac. Jada’s husband, Will Smith, shared in an interview with The Breakfast Club, “She just loved him,” and we believe it. Last year, the actress celebrated the late rapper’s 50th birthday by reading an unpublished poem Pac wrote for her before his passing.
Kate Hudson & Liv Tyler
Liv Tyler and Kate Hudson were two of the many celebrities to come out of Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California. These two had a special connection, both coming from famous families and growing up in the Hollywood scene. Kate Hudson even calls Liv Tyler’s dad, Steven Tyler, “Papa Tyler.” Cool.
When Kate Hudson stepped into the world as Penny Lane in the 2000 hit film Almost Famous, her role was partially based on Liv Tyler’s mother, Bebe Buell. Talk about close family friends! As their respective acting careers commenced, the two even shared an on-screen kiss in the movie Dr. T and the Women.
Winston Duke & Lupita Nyong’o
These two went to the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University and have starred in two movies together! Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke starred in the Blockbuster hit Black Panther and the horror-thriller film, Us together - showing us what the Yale drama school can do!
The two met when Lupita gave Winston a campus tour. "She and I became really close because we shared that immigrant experience," he said. "We shared the idea of having really big dreams knowing that we'd left our own country." And here they are living out that dream together!
Rashida Jones & Kim Kardashian
Actress Rashida Jones and reality star turned entrepreneur Kim Kardashian go way back-before reality T.V. existed around the Kardashian Fam. Rashida Jones and Kim Kardashian went to The Buckley School in California when they were young teens, among a few other A-list celebs…
Besides Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie also attended The Buckley School. "They [Kardashian, Hilton, and Richie] were younger than me. They were really cute and little, and they wore a lot of bows in their hair." Jones recalled in an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Imagine that crew at lunch!
Morena Baccarin & Claire Danes
Before starring in one of the biggest television series to date, these actresses went to the New York City Lab School together. The Homeland actresses Claire Danes and Morena Baccarin go way back to the junior high days before they were Hollywood superstars!
In an interview with TV Guide in 2012, Baccarin explained her connection with Danes. Growing up in the West Village, the actress said, “Claire was there at the same time! We were somewhat friendly, so when Homeland came up, it was great.” We love a good junior high reunion.
Cynthia Erivo & Taron Egerton
These former classmates go way back to their days at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Actress Cynthia Erivo and actor Taron Egerton share a special bond from their school days that only grew once the two made it big. That’s exactly what we like to hear.
"I first remember seeing him in the library. He was running around, and he was just, like, frantic. And I remember thinking, 'He looks so sweet,'" Ervio told E! News." And I felt like, I don't know, you know when you get a feeling about someone? When he spoke to me, I felt like he had the heart of gold." We also get that feeling!
Lady Gaga & Nicky Hilton
While these two icons were not in the same class during their time at New York’s Convent of the Sacred Heart, they both came out right on top! Socialite, businesswoman, fashion designer Nicky Hilton and singer, actress, songwriter, and everything else Lady Gaga go way back - but were the duo friends?
As it turns out, Hilton was a little older than Gaga, so the two didn't necessarily run in the same circle. When asked about her interactions with the Hilton sisters at Sacred Heart, Gaga said, "They're very pretty and very clean. Very, very clean." That feels right.
Lenny Kravitz & Slash
Among many other future celebs, these two Hollywood stars once roamed the halls of the highly renowned Beverly Hills High School. Guns N' Roses lead guitarist Slash and fellow musician Lenny Kravitz were once regular teens sitting on the front lawn worrying about Algebra before selling out stadium tours.
"We went to high school together. We weren't friends, but I knew him. We were like, cool. I never went to his house or anything, but I used to see him in the hallway a lot. He and I were in the hallway a lot," Kravitz recalled. What we would have done to be a fly on the wall in that hallway.
Chelsea Peretti & Andy Samberg
These Brooklyn Nine-Nine stars, Andy Samberg and Chelsea Peretti, go way back! Samberg and Peretti actually went to the same grade school, which only explains their future on-screen chemistry. So let's see how Peretti really felt about her fellow classmate back in the day...
"We went to elementary school... I had a huge crush on Andy, and he, for some reason, will never acknowledge this, when I bring it up, he just dead-eyes me," Peretti joked when asked about their childhood on Conan O'Brien's chat show Conan. Ah, middle school drama!
Neil Diamond & Barbra Streisand
Talk about two living legends! These very iconic singers, Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond, once attended New York's Erasmus Hall High School - where they both sang in the choir together! But it wasn't until this moment years later that the duo recorded a song together...
Streisand and Diamond recorded the 1978 hit song You Don't Bring Me Flowers years after graduating from High School. The song was initially meant for a TV theme song, but fans loved it and wanted more! Once the song's full version was released, Streisand joined Diamond on the track, making it into the song we love today.
Camila Mendes & Cole Sprouse
Camila Mendes and Cole Sprouse attended New York University together before they co-starred in the hit television series Riverdale. Mendes graduated in 2016, and Cole (and Dylan) Sprouse graduated the year before. Mendes recalls her future co-star - but Sprouse, not so much...
"He was a weirdo! He had really long hair down to his butt cheeks. He was really shy too," Mendes joked in an interview with Office magazine in 2017. "Cole always laughs when I tell him that because I remember meeting him on certain occasions and he doesn't," she added.
Zendaya & Gabby Douglas
This Euphoria superstar and Olympic gymnast attended Oak Park Independent School in California, and both graduated on the same day! Zendaya and Gabby Douglas graduated from high school in 2015 during their very successful careers, earning their high school degree.
Oak Park allowed both the Olympian and actress to pursue their careers and focus on their studies simultaneously. Zendaya was acting on the Disney Channel when she filmed Dancing With The Stars while Douglas was training for the 2016 London Olympics. Yas queens!
Ansel Elgort & Timothée Chalamet
Talk about a match made in heaven! Fellow actors Ansel Elgort and Timothee Chalamet attended New York's LaGuardia High School of Music & Performing Arts. Fast forward a few years, and they were both nominated for Golden Globes in 2018. Talk about coming full circle.
In 2017, Elgort uploaded to his Instagram a picture of the two at a basketball game, captioning the photo, "Laguardia high school pride." The actor wrote, "It's really crazy, Timmy and I played on the same basketball team," as well having the same drama and science teachers. Those must be some proud teachers!
Owen Wilson & Wes Anderson
Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson go way back to their days at the University of Texas. There, they met in their sophomore years during a playwriting class and later became roommates. This unbreakable bond began in 1989 and only flourished into Hollywood from there...
From their latest movie together, The French Dispatch to Wilson's first role in an Anderson-directed film, Bottle Rocket; the unstoppable duo has made seven movies together thus far, all of them coming in as memorable hits. No wonder the chemistry between these two is so natural!
Robert Pattinson & Tom Sturridge
Last but not certainly not least, these British actors go way back to their days at The Harrodian School in London. Actors Robert Pattinson and Tom Sturridge share a bromance like no other that stemmed from their days wandering the Harrodian School halls.
"He's my best friend, and that's it. He's like a brother to me, you know? We have the same group of friends," Sturridge gushed in an interview in 2010. Pattinson and Sturridge met at only 13 years old and have maintained a tight bond ever since. We love to hear it.